: Dream

Paislee arched her eyebrows. "Why would you need to protect an ordinary citizen here? What makes this person so special? As a Lauretré, why not utilize your family's guards?"

    "Because I don't want to. My father, the Count, is already busy with matters here. Most of our people are occupied with assisting my father. I don't want to take a person from our guards because we're already understaffed."

She keeps silent for a moment. "Why do you need to protect him? Has he committed a crime? If it's against the law, I'm sorry, Lady Lauretré, but I wouldn't comply."

I turn to her and reassure, "Don't worry. It's not illegal. I wouldn't risk my family's safety. He saved me before, and as a gesture of gratitude, I want you to keep him safe."

"Safe from what? Bandits?"

I wanted to tell her about the traitor, but my mouth wouldn't let me. "Yeah, he lives alone, and some bandits tried to rob him the other day. I'm just worried for him. He works hard on fishing and selling his fishes. So he could eat one meal a day, but those bandits got the nerve to rob him off. That's unforgivable."

No! Csille! You must inform her about the danger. You have to let her know that both of their lives will be at risk. Speak, Csille! Speak!

I attempted to move my hand, but it remained immobile. I tried repeatedly to move any part of my body until the pain became unbearable. Every time I attempted to move my body or speak against what I've written in the notebook, it felt as though I was dying inside.

Paislee sighs and shakes her head. "Lady Csille, I truly appreciate your offer. However, I don't believe I possess the necessary qualifications for such a role. I'm sorry." She then walks towards the door and opens it.

No! Csille! Don't leave. You must inform her! Speak up! But my body moves toward the door. No! Please, Csille. You care for Prince Fraser, don't you? Please, protect him. I'm pleading with you. I attempt to communicate with the force controlling me, which I think is the original Csille. Nevertheless, my body persists in walking away, disregarding my plead. Csille, please.

   My foot halts involuntarily. "I'll await your response. I'll return in two days, hoping you've reached a decision by then." Then, it resumes moving toward the exit.

    Csille! Why? Why won't you listen to me? I attempt to communicate with Csille once more, but it feels futile.

I make an effort to move my body, and it responds. I can move again! I tried to return to Farren's house, but each time I try, I lose control of my body once more.

  I simply want to have a conversation. Why won't you allow me to do so?

__________

Later that night, I had a very long dream. I dreamt about the time I was still in the real world—the time when I met the little girl.

   "Since you helped me, I'm giving this to you. You want to be a writer, right? Write your next novel in this notebook, and you'll surely become famous. But you should be-"

    As I reached for the notebook, my vision blurred momentarily, and when it cleared, the scene before me shifted. I found myself back on the night when I was halfway through writing the novel. Every word I written down flooded back into my memory. Just as I was about to read the final chapter I had written, a powerful gust of wind swept through, scattering everything around me. I clutched onto the notebook tightly, but it too was whisked away by the forceful wind, as if the wind had been deliberately taken..

    Upon opening my eyes, I found myself in the Vrawyth Kingdom palace, witnessing Prince Fraser and Csille's first meeting. The scene then shifted to Prince Fraser discussing "The Parallel Universe" book. He offered me the book to read, but before I could open it, a blinding light filled the room.

   When I open my eyes, I found myself in the house of the writer of the book. However, this time, I was alone; neither Rufus nor Brother Pascal accompanied me. Approaching a door illuminated by light, I hesitantly opened it, half-expecting a blinding glare as before. Yet, all I saw was the silhouette of a man, his back turned to me.

   I couldn't tell if the man was older or younger than me, but I had a strong feeling he was linked to the author of "The Parallel Universe" book. I attempted to approach him to get a better look, but my feet refused to move, as if I had lost control of my body, just like before.

   "Ysavel Vlahos, the author of the novel, King, are you Gay? How have you been doing? What is it feel like to live in a world you made?"

   I was surprised for a moment. How did he know I'm the one who wrote the book? Wait, something's not right. How could he know this world is just a fictional world? That I created everything and everyone here? Who is he?

Before I could even ask a question, he preemptively responds, as though he can anticipate my thoughts. "How did I learn about the novel? Well, I've read some of your works previously, and I must commend your potential as a writer. How did I learn that you created this world?" He chuckles. "I don't think it's the right time for you to know. It's too early. You're not prepared yet. Who am I? You'll discover that in due time."

I attempted to approach him and speak, but nothing happened. My feet remained still, and although I could move my mouth, no sound came out.

"I have little time. I can only leave you a short message. Do not attempt to alter what you've written in the notebook," the man paused briefly. "Otherwise, this world will collapse."

I am still processing what he said when I feel like I am falling from a high-story building. However, instead of plummeting to the ground, I am awakened from my sleep. Sweating, I look around. It's my room in the western region. Relieved, I get up from my bed.

What's the meaning of my dream? Does it imply that altering the storyline of the notebook would result in the world's collapse? Could this be why I couldn't control my body when I tried to go against what I have written?

____________

Two days later, I returned to Paislee's house to learn her decision, fully aware of what it would likely be. As this scene is written in my notebook, I once again lost control of my body, and my actions and words today will be dictated by what I've written.

    "Lady Lauretré, you've arrived sooner than expected," she greets me upon my arrival and presents the same loaf of bread as before.

I politely decline and motion for the maid outside to come in and fetch the basket of fruits and vegetables.

"I presume you've reached a decision," I indicated to the maid to set the basket down and leave. "I hope you don't object. I've brought you a small present. It's important to eat nutritious food if you're to watch over him. I require someone strong enough to ensure his safety."

Paislee eyes the basket of fruits and vegetables. "You didn't need to go to the trouble. Nonetheless, thank you for the gesture. It's thoughtful."

"Farren, let's not beat around the bush. What's your decision? Will you agree to protect him?"

Paislee gazes at me and lets out a sigh. "Are you certain you can help me in becoming a royal guard at the Vrawyth palace?"

Bingo! Exactly as expected! It's all falling into place according to the script in my notebook. She'll agree because she believes it offers greater safety in Vrawyth's capital. Additionally, Paislee's ultimate ambition is to make history as the world's first female knight. A feat unheard of in history.

In the history of this world, there has never been a time when a woman becomes a knight.

The same reason why the King and Queen of the Aeslaerean Kingdom don't want her to be a knight. How could Paislee let go of the opportunity to be a real knight?

"I am the Count's daughter and the fiancée of Crown Prince Fraser."

Csille! Why would you say that in front of the female lead?

"The future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Do you think I don't have enough power to make you a royal knight?"

Heyy! You're mistaken, Csille! You're not the future Queen of Vrawyth. It's Paislee.

I attempted to talk with the force controlling my body, but no matter how many times I tried, it seemed like she couldn't hear me.

I believe it's the actual Csille. The person controlling my body is Csille Lauretré, the main villain of the story. When I arrived here, I wondered where the real Csille could be. She wasn't sick when I took over her body. So where did her soul go? Now, I think I know the answer. She's inside me. She's in my body. Every time what I've written happens, it's Csille who takes control of this body.

Paislee nods, yet I can see the lingering hesitation in her gaze. She's worried because she knows how delicate the relationship between Vrawyth and Aeslaerean Kingdoms is. One misstep could ignite war.

What if she says yes to being a knight and then gets caught? Aeslaerean might be called traitors, and Vrawyth might think the Crown Princess was sent here to spy. That wouldn't be good. Can she really go through with it? Can she be selfish?

"You're still hesitating? I understand. In that case, I won't trouble you any further, Mister Brichagnac." My body rises without my control. Yet, before I can take a single step, Paislee grabs my hand.

"I will do it!"

My eyebrows shot up. "You will? Are you certain this time? Remember, Mister Farren, you're free to decline if you're not willing. I won't compel you to do something against your will. It goes against our family principles."

Family principles, my foot, Csille! We both know your true nature, how merciless you can be. You don't even abide by your family principles. Talk about hypocrisy. I wanted to roll my eyes at her words.

Paislee takes a deep breath. "I'm certain. If you assure me that I can become a knight, I'll give my all to protect that individual."

"Alright, I promise you. On behalf of the Lauretré family, I vow to grant you knighthood as long as you fulfill my instructions. But could you release my arms now?"

Paislee withdraws her hand, "I apologize, Lady Lauretré. I let my emotions take over. It won't happen again."

My hands move involuntarily, waving on its own. "No need to worry about that. I'll meet you here tomorrow at the same time. I'll provide you with all the details and introduce you to the person you'll be guarding."

"I understand. Should I start preparing myself? Oh! But there's a complication."

Of course, there is. You're about to ask how you'll make a living if you're protecting the Crown Prince.

"How will I manage to survive if I give up my apprenticeship with the blacksmith?"

"I thought you already understood. The moment you agree to become the guard of that individual, you're essentially employed by me. All your expenses will be covered by me. You'll receive a weekly allowance of one hundred fifty Centimes. Will that suffice?"

One hundred fifty centimes? Are you kidding me? One centime is equivalent to ten dollars. If Paislee receives one hundred fifty centimes, then it means she'll get one thousand five hundred dollars every week. That's a substantial amount for someone who lives alone. And Csille has the nerve to ask if it's enough? Girl, I know you're rich, but can you tone down the boasting?

   Paislee nods. "Alright, I understand. When do I begin?"

    I meet her gaze. "Tomorrow. I'll provide all the details then, and you can start right after."

   Paislee nods. "I'll take my leave now. Feel free to ask me any questions tomorrow if you have any." With that, my feet carry me out of the house.

As soon as my feet touch the ground outside, the force controlling my body vanishes instantly. I glance back at Paislee's house.

    Princess Paislee, I'm sorry. As much as I want to warn you but I cannot. If I do something against what I've written in the notebook, I'm afraid this world will collapse.

   I come to a halt as a realization dawns on me. If this world collapses, does that mean I'll die too? And if I die, does it mean I'll never return to the real world? Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. Oh, please, no. I don't want to be trapped here. I miss Lena. I miss my old life.